Debi Chernak, Sphr, Sphri, Gphr, Phrca, Shrm-Scp Email & Phone Number

Evergreen, Colorado, Us

At HR Cert Prep Pros & HRCPP Consulting Group (formerly Denver Executive Consultants), we are passionate about supporting HR professionals and business leaders to drive success through a trusted partnership with our expert consultants, coaches, and instructors. CERTIFICATION► Gain the knowledge, confidence, and credibility to accelerate your career. Our HR certification prep courses are fun, interactive, and full of practical examples. You’ll learn from the experiences of your instructors and peers, get inspired to transform your organization and career, and have some laughs along the way while we explore both the fascinating and mundane in the world of HR. Our proprietary HRPowerPass methodology is a proven game-changer for our students. Join the growing community of more than 2,000 HR professionals who have prepared to pass their certification exams with us and earned average pass rates of 90+%. COACHING ► Get a roadmap to achieve your professional goals. Organizations today need savvy HR professionals to achieve their strategic objectives. They also need a partner with a keen eye toward balancing strategy with culture. HRCPP’s professional coaching program empowers individuals to assess their skills, abilities, and aspirations, then develop an action plan to achieve success. Are you ready to optimize YOUR HR contribution? CONSULTING► Do what you do best and leave the rest to us! We are a team of SPHR-certified consultant practitioners who serve as trusted partners for our clients on a wide range of HR support, including:• Strategic & Operational Planning• Employee Relations & Investigations• Leadership Coaching & Development• HR Audits, Policies & Employee Handbooks• Compensation, Equity & Incentive Programs• Talent Acquisition, Integration & Performance ManagementWe welcome the opportunity to work with you to achieve your individual and organizational goals and objectives.

Longmont, Colorado, Us

Private equity-funded public safety technology and services company with 1,000+ employees in US, Canada, Ireland. Led HR/Facilities/Security team of 25 through divestiture by West Corporation and acquisition by Stonepeak. ► Key Metrics & Results: From 2022 to 2023, reduced voluntary turnover from 21% to 3.5%; recruiting firm hires from 15% to 5%; annualized facilities lease spend from $8M to $4.8M► Developed stellar team partnering with employees at all levels to drive key business results► Guided company through critical culture reset► Refreshed mission/values/goals► Realigned org functions & structure► Launched OD/L&D/DEI initiatives including: • Sourcing and selection of diverse candidates • Enhanced onboarding programs • Framework for in-office/remote/hybrid workers • Job architecture, market-based pay structure, career paths • Agile goal setting, coaching, performance effectiveness • Employee recognition • Ethics & employee relations • Cohort-based leadership development • Employee Learning Series • HBDI & 9-Box • DEI communications • Interest groups, team-building & company events • 2024 internship/trainee program► Collaborated with Marketing on rebranding & communications► Oversaw system selection/implementation/optimization for HRIS, payroll, benefits, leave administration, employment law policies & compliance, immigration/visas, whistleblower reporting, expense policy & reporting► Drove development of compensation/benefits philosophy, job architecture, market analysis, comp structure, cost analyses, market adjustments, short-term incentive plan, commission plan analysis, benefit plan benchmarking & redesign► Partnered with CFO, PE firm, internal/external counsel to develop & execute Executive Employment Agreements and Management Incentive Plan documents► Conducted HR due diligence for acquisition targets► Partnered with counsel to ensure legal compliance and resolve EE relations issues

San Rafael, Ca, Us

Houston, Tx, Us

Catalyze is a fast-growth private equity-funded commercial solar company. ► Facilitated expansion from 40 fully remote EEs to 190 EEs in 25+ states with offices in CA-CO-MA-NY-TX. ► Integrated 3 acquisitions in 2021: Prisma Energy, PermaCity, SolAlliance ► Conducted HR due diligence & engaged with Board, Marsal & Alvarez and Protiviti in pre-IPO public readiness & capital raise activities► Collaborated with leadership on organizational design initiatives to evolve from a functional to fully matrixed structure to drive collaboration & agility► Transitioned from outsourced PEO model to scalable in-house infrastructure► Deployed robust benefits package, a key driver for success in recruiting & retaining talent in today’s tight labor market ► Hired & developed world-class People Operations and Talent & Development teams: o Reduced reliance on external contingency recruiters to zero within 4 months o Implemented programs to increase pipeline of qualified women & veteran candidates o Launched Interviewer Certification Training & Corporate Onboarding Programs o Initiated implementations of UKGPro, CultureAmp, SkillSurvey, Jobvite, Concur o Engaged with CompTeam for job architecture & compensation structure initiative o Implemented core policies & procedures for recruiting/interviewing, onboarding/offboarding, payroll, benefits, travel & expense, goal setting & performance management, career progressions/promotions► Fostered strong & resilient culture grounded in core values of Impact—Integrity—Collaboration—Ingenuity—Service through: o Culture & Engagement, DEI & ESG Committees o Matrixed structure with career development & advancement opportunities o Flexible PTO, VTO, in-office/hybrid/remote work policies o DEI Training Series & FLEX Learning Programs o DEI & engagement surveys, analytics, action plans o Open door coaching & consulting policy► Built & led senior EA team► Oversaw Facilities & Administration

Denver, Co, Us

I had the privilege to serve as adjunct faculty for DU's Strategic Human Resources Master's Degree program and be part of my HR colleagues' career journey. A few of the courses you may find me teaching include: ► HRA 4270 / Value and Impact of HR Interventions► HRA 4250 / HR Competencies and Talent Management► HRA 4600 / Human Relations in OrganizationsJoin the ranks of HR professionals who are accelerating their career with a Master's degree from University College at DU. Check out this outstanding program @ https://universitycollege.du.edu/hra/

Fort Collins, Co, Us

It was an absolute pleasure to instruct PHR/SPHR prep courses @ CSU from 2006 thru 2018! Our partnership with CSU was invaluable for us and the 1,000+ students who participated in our classes there and passed their HRCI certification exams.

Denver Executive Consultants (now operating as HR Cert Prep Pros Consulting Group) is a multi-faceted practice providing strategic HR, Organizational Development, Talent Acquisition & Development, Compensation & Benefits, Technology & Infrastructure, M&A, Due Diligence, and Acquisition Integration expertise to entrepreneurs, executives, and investors in start-up and growth technology and professional services companies.

IntelePeer is a venture-funded company that brings cloud communications solutions to enterprise customers.► Partnered with executives, managers, and employees to align IntelePeer’s values, culture, structure, compensation, benefits, policies and procedures, performance management, training and development with its ambitious growth objectives; and identify, assess, address, and mitigate personnel risks► Led HR due diligence for investment rounds and acquisition of Advantone Inc.► Opened lines of communication and transformed culture► Formalized talent acquisition process; continuously upgraded talent; facilitated organizational restructures; enhanced social media presence; recruited, hired, and onboarded 75 employees, from entry level to SVP► Developed and implemented performance/compensation review and goal-setting process► Created effective compensation, commission, bonus, and equity plans► Updated all job descriptions and developed vertical and horizontal career paths► Restructured Benefit Plan Design to achieve year-over-year increases in benefits and decreases in employer and employee contributions► Drove initiatives to assess, select, and implement Concur (travel and expense), HireMojo (recruitment and applicant tracking), Skill Survey (reference checking), and conversion of payroll/HRIS to Paychex► Conducted HR Audit and implemented policies, practices, and training programs to bring Company into full compliance with FLSA, ERISA, IRCA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, and other employment laws► Assumed ownership of annual evaluation, renewals, and audits of all lines of corporate insurance, including General Liability, D&O, EPLI, Auto, and Worker’s Comp

Unisyn Medical Technologies was a private equity-backed company formed in Q4 2009 with the mergers of Echoserve in Golden, CO; Sonora Medical Systems/Acoustic Marketing Research in Longmont, CO; and Barrington Medical Imaging in Cary, IL. The majority of its diagnostic imaging business was acquired by GE Healthcare in May 2013. As Director of Human Resources & Employee Engagement, I partnered with employees, managers, and executives to align the organization's culture, structure, compensation, benefits, policies and procedures, performance, training and development with the strategic goals and objectives of the Company's ambitious growth plan and position our team for sustained growth and development. In addition to my responsibilities as Unisyn's senior HR leader, I managed the corporate insurance function (General & Medical Products Liability, D&O, and EPLI) and provided interim management of facilities, a role that culminated in an extensive reorganization and remodel of Unisyn's 26,000 SF headquarters facility in Golden, and the consolidation of our 30,000 SF Longmont facility into Golden. I also led HR due diligence activities for the acquisition by GE, served on the post-transaction Transition Team through July 2013, and then became a consultant to Consensys Imaging Service, the organization that continued to provide nationwide field services for MRI, CT, ultrasound and mammography equipment.

THE AFFINITY CORPORATION was a start-up social entrepreneurial company whose mission was to partner with community stakeholders to develop and empower vibrant, affordable, sustainable communities in the public, workforce, student, senior/assisted living, military and Native American housing sectors, utilizing its unique design/build and state-of-the-art Energy Star and LEED-certified industrialized housing technologies, turnkey vertical integration processes, next-generation educational achievement programs, and a deep commitment to the long-term economic and educational success of communities.► In September 2009, I joined the organization as Director of Human Resources and was soon promoted to Vice President of Branding & Engagement. In this exciting role, my areas of responsibility included: strategic planning, internal and external branding and engagement, human resources, organization development, marketing and communications, as well as pre- and post-sales customer training and support.► Reporting to the CEO, I built and guided an incredibly talented team that included the Director of Development Services, Director of Creative Strategy, Director of Communications, and Human Resources Manager.Regrettably, the company failed to secure sufficient funding during this time period to execute its business plan. Therefore, in January 2010, I made the difficult, but necessary, decision to move on and explore new opportunities.

Golden, Co, Us

Aztek Networks—a global leader in the development of telecommunications switch consolidation solutions for network migration, including its patent-pending True Emergency Stand Alone (ESA)™ technology—was recognized for three years running (2008, 2009 and 2010) as a finalist in “Best Companies to Work for in Colorado" and was acquired by GENBAND in 2012.► As Director of Human Resources from 2001 thru 2008, I served as a member of the Executive Strategy Team that was instrumental in guiding Aztek’s transformation from a privately-held contract engineering company that experienced the full brunt of the telecom bust, to a successful venture capital-funded product leadership company. In collaboration with this outstanding team of executives and employees, I….► Spearheaded a Cultural Values Initiative that became the foundation of the company’s new vision, mission and strategic plans and budgets.► Drove the restructuring of the strategic planning, budgeting, goal setting and performance management processes; and developed and implemented a values- and competency-based 360° peer review program tied to corporate goals and objectives.► Implemented innovative recruiting, engagement and retention strategies, including an incentive stock option plan, dual career ladder for technical staff, expanded flex-time/telecommuting opportunities, and a contractor/employee referral bonus program. ► Ensured that the Total Rewards (comp and benefits) philosophy and programs continually met recruiting, retention and business needs.► Coached and trained employees, managers and executives on employee relations issues, behavioral/situational interviewing, managerial/leadership effectiveness, goal setting, and team/individual performance.► Supervised a staff of four, including a senior technical recruiter, benefits administrator, travel and events coordinator, and receptionist/administrative assistant.

Live Wire Networks (aka LiveWireNet), a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) providing VoIP, DSL, LAN/WAN network integration, and voice and data cabling services to commercial and residential customers, was formed by the merger of Advanced Cabling & Communications (ACC) and AccNet of Colorado LLC, the first provider of DSL on the Front Range in the late 1990s.► Developed and implemented HR, marketing and operational plans to enhance profitability and position the company for sustained growth► Created and documented policies and procedures related to employment law compliance, hiring and firing, performance reviews, progressive discipline, job descriptions, compensation, benefits, employee relations, corporate communications, finance, administration and operations► Researched, implemented and administered new, comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k), 125 plan, and health, life and legal insurance plans► Revised sales commission plan and created an internal employee and customer referral bonus program► Implemented on-time performance review schedule to establish credibility of management and foster loyalty of employees► Facilitated conversion of payroll and benefits to a PEO► Developed and implemented branding and strategic marketing plans, including logos, corporate identity packages, press releases, web sites, trade shows, print and radio advertising campaigns, vehicle graphics, networking activities and a company newsletter► Conducted staffing and organizational analysis, and facilitated restructuring plan that enabled the company to realize a 50% increase in revenues► Developed HR and customer service plan and budget for a multi-state rollout; gave presentations to potential private and venture capital investors

A start-up environmental consulting firm with five employees when I joined the company, GMS established itself as a leader in the maritime oil pollution prevention and response field following the Exxon Valdez spill and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, Corbett and Holt, Gallagher Marine Systems, Inc., Marispond, Inc., and Marispond (Hellas), Inc. consolidated to become the premier provider of Incident Response, Project Management, regulatory compliance, contingency planning and response and related consulting services.► Created and managed the human resources and administration department; established and implemented programs, policies and procedures in compensation, benefits, recruiting, performance, professional development, office administration, and facilities► Designed and implemented operations strategies, budgets, and action plans related to procurement, network configuration, vendor relations, leasing and insurance► Developed the company's strategic marketing plan: designed corporate identity package, promotional materials and trade show displays; composed and edited an industry-acclaimed technical newsletter, The Clipper► Assistant Project Manager for ISO 9001 certification; analyzed operations and developed process flowcharts, forms and checklists for inclusion in Quality Manual► Managed a major expansion of corporate headquarters; conducted market analysis, evaluated properties, negotiated lease, worked with architect, property management company and executive team on space planning, buildout and relocation, which was completed on time and within budget

I founded this cutting edge business services company in my sophomore year of college that provided typing, word processing, desktop publishing, transcription, resumes, and database management to clients as diverse as attorneys, arbitrators, students, salespeople and organizations, including the Hubble Space Telescope Institute.► Developed local and national accounts, establishing a base of more than 3,000 clients► Hired, trained and supervised a staff of 15 employees and independent contractors► Developed business plans and obtained start-up financing for the establishment of branch offices in Hunt Valley, MD and Washington, DC

M.Ed., Organizational Performance & Change

Bachelor Of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Management & Marketing; Minor In Psychology

Certificate In Environmental Studies